LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University baseball team had a big inning early and rallied late, but what took place in between allowed North Alabama to overtake the Knights in an 8-6 win in their ASUN series opener Friday at Knights Field.

Bellarmine (10-24, 5-8 ASUN) led 4-1 after two innings, but the Knights wouldn't score again until the ninth against North Alabama (7-25, 1-12), which earned its first conference win after scoring twice in the fourth, once in the fifth and four times in the eighth.

Bellarmine trailed 8-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth but did make things interesting. Freshman catcher Charlie Rife led off with a single and, with two outs, scored on an RBI single by junior designated hitter Reed Blaszczyk. Senior third baseman Colin Bertsch then smashed an RBI double off the wall in center fielder.

With the tying run at the plate, North Alabama's Will Morris ended the game with a strikeout. Jacob Bradshaw (3-2) shrugged off the Knights' four-run second inning by not allowing anything around it over 7.0 innings.

In that second frame, Bellarmine loaded the bases with one out after Bertsch walked and sophomore right fielder Casey Sorg and senior center fielder Will Aubel followed with infield singles. Freshman shortstop Luke Scales then cleared the bases with a three-run double down the line. After a Rife single, senior left fielder Tommy Dilz lifted a sacrifice fly.

Bellarmine finished with 12 hits as all nine starters collected at least one. Sorg, Aubel and Rife notched two apiece.

Senior right-hander Nolan Pender delivered a quality start in a no-decision, allowing three earned runs over 6.0 innings with five strikeouts. Sophomore right-hander Webster Walls added a scoreless inning of relief.

The Knights and Lions will meet at 2 p.m. (ET) Saturday in the second of the three-game series.

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